Menopause is a crucial life transition, yet for many women it brings more than hot flashes or sleep disruption. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling often emerge quietly during menopause, impacting women as they juggle work, caregiving, and family life. These symptoms are frequently dismissed as “just aging” or something to be endured, leaving many women unsure whether what they are feeling is normal or worth raising with their doctor.
For millions of women, these symptoms may signal something more serious: arthritis.
Together, menopause and arthritis reveal a significant women’s health gap shaped by under-recognition, limited research, and delayed diagnosis. While both are common, they are rarely discussed together. As a result, many women lack the information or support they need to protect their long-term joint health.
The missing link: How menopause affects your joints
Around menopause, levels of estrogen – which plays an important role in regulating inflammation and keeping the immune system balanced – decline sharply. When these levels drop, inflammation in the body may increase. This can contribute to joint pain, stiffness, and, in some cases, the onset or progression of arthritis.
The numbers are striking. Research shows that more than 70 per cent of perimenopausal women experience musculoskeletal symptoms during the menopause transition, including joint discomfort that can interfere with daily life. Yet these symptoms are still too often minimized or overlooked entirely.
Why women bear a greater burden
Arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in the joints and other areas of the body. It can lead to pain, fatigue, loss of function, and permanent joint damage if left untreated. Nearly 60 per cent of Canadian adults with arthritis are women. Women also live longer than men, which means more years navigating arthritis pain, stiffness, and mobility challenges.
Different forms of arthritis are affected in different ways by menopause:
- Osteoarthritis, the most common type often affecting the knees, hips, and hands, becomes more prevalent around menopause.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, peaks in incidence during menopause and may worsen as hormonal protection declines.
- Lupus, another autoimmune condition, is typically diagnosed earlier in life and an earlier onset of menopause correlates with a higher lupus risk though the relationship between menopause and lupus symptoms is still being clarified.
While research continues to evolve, one thing is clear: hormonal transitions matter for joint health.
Closing the knowledge gap
Organizations like Arthritis Society Canada and the Menopause Foundation of Canada are working to address this critical gap through education, research, and access to credible information — recognizing that menopause is not a medical footnote but a major health milestone.
Education plays an important role in helping women advocate for their own health. When women understand how menopause can affect inflammation, joints, and long-term mobility, they are better equipped to recognize symptoms, ask informed questions, and seek appropriate care earlier.
What you can do right now
Taking joint symptoms seriously during and after menopause is essential. While arthritis has no cure, early intervention can help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and preserve joint function. These steps are not about doing more or doing everything perfectly. They are about paying attention and responding with care.
Practical steps you can take today include:
- Tracking your symptoms over time to spot patterns and changes
- Staying physically active in ways that are easier on your joints, such as swimming, walking, or gentle yoga
- Talking to your doctor about persistent pain sooner rather than later, without dismissing what you are feeling
- Seeking out reliable information from organizations that specialize in women’s health and arthritis
- Connecting with others who are going through similar experiences
Understanding the connection between menopause and joint health helps you make informed choices about your care. With the right information and support, women can protect their mobility, care for their bodies with confidence, and continue to flourish at every stage of life.
We acknowledge that not everyone assigned female at birth identifies as a woman and certain aspects of menopause and arthritis discussed in this article may be shared by individuals who do not identify within a sex or gender binary. Research on arthritis in trans, intersex, and gender-diverse people is currently very limited. Understanding distinctions in arthritis across all sexes and genders and advocating for inclusive and respectful practices in research and care are vital.
